ABINGDON School, making their first competitive appearance on the river this term, recorded four wins at the Reading Small Boats Head, writes John Wiggins.

The school’s director of rowing Mark Earnshaw set his boys to race twice over the 3700m course, battling rain and hail in single, double and quad sculls.

Stuart Pearson was the fastest novice sculler, Tom Bell and Ed Fry won the novice double event, while the J18 quad title went to Robert Kinnier, Alex Watkinson, Alex Jorgenson and Harry Cover.

Abingdon School added further to the tally in the J17 coxed four with Bryce Jersing, Fergus Mitchell, Josh Braithwaite, Joe Nash and cox, Freddie Bermingham.

Dan Boddington, representing the school’s old boys Griffen Boat Club, won both the senior and elite singles.

Wallingford RC’s one win came from the masters D four of Mike Edge, Pete King, Steve Pearson, Richard Smith and cox Sara Ball, who proved to be the fastest coxed boat of the day.

Headington School’s J16 quad of Rachel Grainger, Alice Van Onselen, Alex Peach and Beth Jones coped well in the conditions, finishing nearly 30 seconds clear of the field.

The school’s J15 coxed quads took the top three slots, the fastest crew being Zakira Klico, Armarna Milne, Anna Pettitt, Claudia Rossington and cox Katherine Ola Wa Pango.

Hinksey Sculling School came out top in the women’s J16 coxed four.